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Original poster

To think that dental care is now only for the wealthy in the UK

137 replies

Tygertiger · 06/02/2023 18:33

I would love to be considered U here and if I am, please explain it to me.

I have been in the privileged position until now of having an NHS dentist. Obviously I still pay a fee for every visit (not entitled to free healthcare) but it’s still cheaper than private dental fees. We’ve now been told that our practice is going private as of next year and will offer monthly payment plans, the cheapest of which is £19 a month. I’ve been on the NHS site and there are no other NHS dentists in the local area, at all.

So how do poor people afford to go to the dentist? If they can’t afford a monthly insurance plan?

OP posts:
ReamsOfCheese · 06/02/2023 18:41

YANBU I've never had an NHS dentist my whole adult life. It's just getting worse but this has been about three decades in the making.

Happysalley · 06/02/2023 18:41

I pay private for my dc. Ds needed a lot of work and it crippled me. I go to the free dental school.

Original poster
Tygertiger · 06/02/2023 18:41

Newpuppymummy · 06/02/2023 18:34

People on benefits get free dental care

But do they get it from private dentists? Or just from NHS? There are literally no NHS dentists within 20 miles of where I live, I’ve been researching this afternoon.

And what if you’re not on benefits but still struggling? An annual check-up on the NHS for people who pay fees is just under £25. That’s what I’ve been paying. But now I won’t be able to do that and if I want to continue to have check-ups I have to sign up to a monthly payment plan, prices from £19 a month. I will struggle to afford that and some people will definitely no longer be able to see a dentist, surely.

OP posts:
Hickorydickorydockery · 06/02/2023 18:40

Basically there is going to be a generation of people with teeth that their grandparents generation had ! It is absolutely disgusting and not how people should have to live.
Poor dental health causes so many other health problems!
Poor people are not just people on benefits as above poster has suggested and free dental care is only available from NHS dentists ,who are disappearing fast .

earsup · 06/02/2023 18:39

People do not go !...I still have an NHS dentist but you need to wait months for an appointment and often told that the funding for root canals etc has run out so need to pay...I just had my front teeth all done in turkey, only composite bonding, but cost here was £240 a tooth and I paid £45 in turkey and £60 for one root canal, which is actually cheaper than the uk nhs banding fee. Also a lot of uk payment plans dont include the expensive work so not worth having.

ticketstub · 06/02/2023 18:39

People on certain benefits only get free dental care if they have access to an NHS dentist. So they will have the same issue as the OP if their dentist goes private.

A private dentist won't provide free treatment even if the person would be entitled to free treatment on the NHS.

Simulacra · 06/02/2023 18:39

Newpuppymummy · 06/02/2023 18:34

People on benefits get free dental care

There are almost 0 NHS dentists so nobody can access it.

That £19 won’t cover much, either - any treatment you need will come to £100 minimum on top.

Like many, I was booted off my NHS dentist for not attending for 12 months when they were fucking shut for 18 months due to covid.

I was set to start treatment for periodontal disease prior to the first lockdown. It never happened. Private treatment is in the thousands.

Im 36, I work full time, I make decent money but I cannot afford it, so I guess I’m stuck watching my gums recede even further (can already see the roots of several) and by 40, I’ll likely have none left.

XenoBitch · 06/02/2023 18:38

Newpuppymummy · 06/02/2023 18:34

People on benefits get free dental care

If you have a dentist to start with. Is impossible to get one now.

OriGanOver · 06/02/2023 18:38

People on benefits don't get free treatment when there isn't NHS dentists to provide a NHS dental service.

I hear you OP. I've written to my MP about this in my area.

stbrandonsboat · 06/02/2023 18:37

Newpuppymummy · 06/02/2023 18:34

People on benefits get free dental care

Only if they can find an NHS dentist which are becoming quite rare now.

Sazzling · 06/02/2023 18:36

The top and the bottom get everything

The middle band don't qualify for loads of free stuff but also don't have loads of money to go private for everything. That band is getting wider and more and more squeezed.

If you can't be rich, you might as well do very little and qualify for all the free stuff. That is becoming the logical solution for more people.

Newpuppymummy · 06/02/2023 18:34

People on benefits get free dental care

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